1940, German-occupied Czechoslovakia
A dark shadow lurks near Jacob’s village, one dressed in tall black boots and carrying guns. He should listen to his grandfather, give up his childish games and possessions. But when two boys try to take his prize marble, he runs away to his synagogue and hides in the forbidden attic.
There Jacob uncrates a huge, dusty clay man. Could it be the creature from his grandfather’s stories, the Maharal’s earthen defender of the Jews of Prague? If such legends were true, no one would dare come for his marble—or his village. Legends taught that the statue could be brought to life with a single word to do its master’s bidding. But that was a childish thought, and he should give up childish thoughts. And even if it were true, the legends also told of unintended horrors once that word was spoken to the creature, that word he should not say…
“Awaken.”
